They were awful
There is no way to spin the Habs 2021-22 season as anything other than a failure and a disappointment.
Sure, there were extenuating circumstances like a number one defender that is still under contract but will never play again. A star stating goaltender who missed all but five games and finally collected his first win of the season in Game 82. Covid outbreaks, a crazy number of injuries and ineffective play from previously reliable veterans.
But the reality is that the team was not supposed to be anywhere near this bad. They played in the 2021 Stanley Cup Final, but realistic fans knew they were in for a battle this season with the Florida Panthers, Toronto Maple Leafs, Boston Bruins and Tampa Bay Lightning all in the same division.
What was not expected was the lack of battle shown from the Habs. It became a bit of a joke in the middle of the season about how long the Habs could keep a game at 0-0. It usually wasn’t very long. Their lack of defensive structure and absence of offence in the first 45 games was hard to watch.
Seeing Cayden Primeau, Jake Allen and Sam Montembault get peppered with 45-50 shots per night and unable to steal games was not the most satisfying way to spend an evening.
There was a glimmer of hope after Martin St. Louis was hired, but even with him behind the bench, the team struggled through a nine game losing streak late in the season. That was a little easier to watch because we knew the end was near.
It finally arrived on Friday night and like when a beloved family pet is mercifully put down, there was some relief among Habs fans that we wouldn’t need to see this team suffer any longer.